Accident report: Car passing in opposite lane caused wreck

BUCKHANNON — The driver of a Subaru Legacy that was involved in a wreck Wednesday afternoon was allegedly passing vehicles on the wrong side of the road, she told police.

Allison Howes, 22, of Buckhannon, said her nephew was in the hospital with seizures, and she was “in a hurry to go after his father” when she hit another vehicle, according to the report filed by investigating office Sgt. Tom Posey with the Buckhannon Police Department. The wreck occurred near the Department of Highways headquarters at the intersection of Route 33 and the Brushy Fork Crossing.

According to Posey’s report, both Howes — who was driving a 2003 Subaru Legacy — and Allen Phillips, 52, of Belington — who was driving a 2011 Kia Forte — were headed south on the Brushy Fork Crossing near the DOH headquarters at about 3:35 p.m.

Phillips had been stopped at the red light and when it turned green, he proceeded onto Route 33, attempting to turn left.

According to the report, Howes had activated her four-way flashers and was passing vehicles on the Brushy Fork Crossing. As Phillips attempted to turn, Howes’ vehicle struck Phillips’ vehicle, which came to a rest in the median, the report says.

When Posey questioned Howes following the wreck, Howes admitted that she was passing vehicles on the wrong side of the road and said she was “going after [the patient’s] father,” not the patient himself. Neither Howes nor Phillips were injured in the wreck, but Posey cited Howes for improper passing, according to the report.